Morris golfers break through

WILMINGTON – Justin Larsen and the Morris Redskins did not have the kind of results they wanted in their first two varsity boys golf events of the season.

On Monday, Larsen and the Redskins broke through. The senior shot an even-par 36 on the front nine at Cinder Ridge Golf Course to earn medalist honors. Morris totaled a 167 to sweep Seneca and its 189 and host Coal City and its 192.

For Larsen and his team, the results were a big improvement from Friday’s Lemont Shoot-Out and Monday’s loss at Yorkville. Larsen carded a birdie, seven pars and one bogey.

“It was nice to put it together because those first couple rounds you’re trying to break the ice a little bit,” Larsen said. “I played in some tournaments this summer. It’s different when you’re not with the school. You want to represent your school. You want to get a good score on the board.”

Beyond Larsen, the Redskins counted a 41 from Nick McPherson, a 43 from Trevor Lines and a 47 from Nick Bonomo. Noncounters Jacob Cobian and Gabe Sajnaj also finished with 47s.

“(Compared) to how we started out the first two matches, they’re moving in the right direction, and that’s what I want to see,” Morris coach Matt Lafond said. “I mean, I’m not expecting low 40s out of everybody. I just want gradual improvement over each match, and that’s what we’re getting, so I couldn’t be happier.”

Seneca’s low scorer was Conlan Callahan with a 43. The Fighting Irish team score also reflected a 47 from Dan Armstrong, a 48 from Ben Rohder and a 51 from Jacob Bruce.

“Overall I’m happy that we got a win, but we still need to get that score down,” Seneca coach Bryan Erickson said. “We know that our one and two are real strong, and after that we’re probably going to have to take some bogey golf, some 46s, some 47s occasionally. It just hurts when we gotta take over a 50.”

Clayton Cash and Keegan Clampitt tied for the lowest Coal City score with 47s, and Jack Scerine and Alex Wills added 49s.

“The scores in [the Interstate Eight] conference in general have looked similar to tonight,” Coal City coach David Sinkular said.

“What I keep telling the guys is that we have to be five, six strokes less, and if we’re five, six strokes less, we’ll be in the heat of everything, in the conference at least.”